Pete Kelly joining his father in CYO Hall of Fame
Over the years there has been a great tradition of not only great basketball at the Mercer County CYO, but a great legacy of family.
That legacy will be on display Sunday at the Nottingham Ballroom at 3 p.m. when Pete Kelly is inducted into the CYO Basketball Hall of Fame.
What makes Pete’s induction so worthy and significant is he’ll be joining his father, Chris, in the Hall. Chris was inducted in the Class of 2008.
“Being able to accomplish things my dad did before me has always been a goal and that makes the honor that much more special,” said Pete. “We’ve now had the opportunity to be the first to do a few things in the county as well as the Mercer County CYO Hall of Fame.”
The Kelly’s were the first father and son to score 1,000 points in high school and they are now joined by Noel and Myles Powell. Noel was inducted in the CYO Class of 2012.
“My dad was my first coach, my toughest coach and also my biggest fan,” said Pete. “From day one, he worked with me and sacrificed his time to make me a better athlete and to this day he still motivates me and displays how much one can achieve with hard work, commitment and passion for what you are doing. I will always be grateful for the lessons and example he provided.”
Joining Kelly in the induction ceremony will be Rashawn Glenn, Fred Dumont, Lou DeMIlle, Ralph Chiarello, Deb Zsenak Hart, Kristin Voorhees Jacobs, Rosemary LaMacchia, Steve Maczinko, Alexa Millas, Don Walsh Sr. and Dawn Wolfsgruber. Joe Hejda, Herman English and Jim Haggerty Sr. are being inducted posthumously.
Kelly, who is now a Senior Auditor at BASF, can reflect back on his time at the CYO and his playing days at Our Lady of Sorrows as a time that helped him become the man he is today.
“My time at the CYO shaped many of my values and ethics I bring to work daily,” said Kelly. “It taught me the importance of teamwork and that a group can accomplish far more than one individual. Some of my lifelong friendships began during my CYO basketball years.”
Kelly was an integral part of the OLS teams that won a lot and always seemed to be battling St. Raphael’s for the crown.
“My 8th grade year in which we won the South Jersey championship was extremely special and my favorite memory,” said Kelly. “Not only for our great season, but because I was very fortunate to be able to play for Dave Larkin, a fellow CYO Hall of Famer, who I’ve always held in the highest regard and I’m lucky enough to still speak with and see often.”
After OLS, Kelly starred at Nottingham and at The College of New Jersey bringing those traits, on and off the court, that definitely were of Hall of Fame caliber.
“Being inducted into any Hall of Fame, especially the CYO is an honor,” said Kelly. “It brings me joy as well as humbles me to enter with and be included with so many great athletes before me. Lastly, it brings satisfaction to see the hard work and dedication to my craft at a young age had led to success.”